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Niners running back Kendall Hunter sustained an apparent right knee injury this afternoon during practice, but he walked off the field without assistance.

Hunter, 25, entering his fourth NFL season, was injured during seven-on-seven drills after he caught a swing pass from Blaine Gabbert. Hunter’s right knee appeared to buckle when he planted as cornerback Perrish Cox approached him.

After head trainer Jeff Ferguson examined his right knee on the sideline, he escorted Hunter to the locker room. Hunter walked without a noticeable limp, and punched the air with his right fist in apparent frustration.

After Hunter dropped to the ground, a few teammates said “No, no, no,” while another hopefully implored him to “hop up.”

Last year, Hunter rushed for 358 yards and averaged 4.6 yards a carry in his return from a torn Achilles he sustained in November 2012.

Hunter is competing to serve as Frank Gore’s primary backup, a role he’s had for the last three seasons. His competition includes second-round pick Carlos Hyde, LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore, who is on the non-football injury list.

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Rookie wide receiver Bruce Ellington (ankle) was removed from the non-football injury list, but the fourth-round pick was only a spectator during practice.

The 49ers signed tight end/wide receiver Kyle Nelson to fill the final spot on their 90-man roster. The spot opened when they placed right guard Alex Boone, a contract holdout, on the reserve/did not report list Wednesday.